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Beet 2026 01 January

Jan 01

Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2025

By Beet 2026 01 January

We just completed our 2025 Winter Dreams Summer Gardens workshops and are happy with this year’s outcome.  We are gradually growing back from the COVID days. There were 147 registered participants this year. We have always appreciated our gardening enthusiasts and want to help them keep up to date with the science that can improve their yields and the quality of food they grow.

Four years ago, the three co-chairs Barbara Low, Susan Koenig and myself were brainstorming how JCMGA could offer more of our science-based education to the public. We considered the professionals who worked with the public on their gardens. In an Aha moment, it came to us: landscapers!

I contacted the Oregon State Landscapers Board and determined what the process would be to get our WDSG program approved for the Landscapers Continuing Education Hours (CEH). Thankfully, it was not a hard task. There was a new director, and she could not have been more helpful. She told me exactly how to submit a proposal, gave me a list of must haves, and then explained how to submit the proposal for the fastest approval turn around. I did exactly what she said. It took 10 days to get WDSG approved for CEH that first year. This year, it took only four days. (I love it when we build trust with the organizations we work with.)

Next, we needed to find a way to more effectively inform the landscaping community about our workshops. Our first year, four landscapers participated.  In the second year, there were 15.  After sharing with Blake Elliot (our newest co-chair member) our desire to expand our reach, Blake found what we had been seeking for 2 years: a public listing of landscapers. We have started our own list of landscapers to contact each year, and our number of participants just grew to 35!

Improvements have evolved, and that is one of the joys of education: you continue to learn from others, as they learn from you. We have gotten some wonderful feedback that our workshops are very useful.  The Director of the Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) thanked us for making these workshops available and at such an affordable price. We have gotten letters of thanks for creating a venue for landscapers to get most of their CEH credits in one place. One landscaper said that it was refreshing to hear new material across a wide range of subjects. We are also receiving good ideas for future classes. This has been a very rewarding part of the process.

I now ask all of our members, friends, colleagues and students: Please help us spread the word! Tell any landscaper you know about WDSG. If you have their permission, please send their contact information to Colet (Coletallen1@gmail.com ).

As our attendance grows, so does the amount of work for our WDSG team.  We welcome your participation.

One last thing: We owe a big THANK YOU to the first team who used Zoom after COVID. They left a well-documented process that made it easy for the three of us to step in and carry WDSG forward to where we are today. Without their pioneering footsteps, we would not be this far.  THANK YOU, first WDSG Zoom team.

Jan 01

Quincessential

By Beet 2026 01 January

Although many today aren’t familiar with Cydonia obologna, (sole member of its genus), it’s beginning to show up again in home gardens and is truly a “quincessential” fruit for consideration.

Fruiting quince, (not to be confused with the flowering chaenomoles), also called “true” quince, has a long and interesting history. Considered native to Iran, Turkey, the Crimean Peninsula, northern Persia, and possibly Greece, its name, Cydonia oblonga, comes from an area of Crete. Familiar in Palestine around 1000 BC, cultivation spread (long before the apple) to southeast Europe and the Levant. Eventually, it found its way around the world to Africa, Australia, South America, Mexico, the Eastern Mediterranean and, eventually, the US.

Taking advantage of its naturally high pectin content, American colonists made quince jam and jelly. The cooked pulp also jelled other fruit jams when added to the mix. It’s possible that its popularity fell off when commercial pectin made the process way more convenient. Unfortunately, high pectin content renders most quince flesh astringent, perhaps another reason for not cultivating what one cannot consume raw. However, some varieties have a sweet, slightly tart taste, with a hint of pineapple and lemon, making them quite edible off the tree.

Astringent or not, quince has the most wonderful aromatic fragrance, perfuming any room in which they are placed. While lovely, their velvety surfaces need to be removed (gently rub off beneath a faucet) before using. They’re also rich in fiber and have moderate amounts of vitamin C and potassium. Quince’s flesh is denser than an apple’s. Their exterior shape also varies from oblong and lumpy to pear-shaped. Their skin turns a vibrant yellow when mature and some can weigh nearly 16 oz.

They’re delicious cooked in both savory and sweet dishes. Cooking longer with an acid not only enhances flavor but also intensifies the flesh’s rosy color.  You can stew, bake, and spice quince like apples, cook alongside meats, make into pudding, pie, crisp, compote or create quince paste. It’s also said they make very good wine!

Quince can be maintained as small 10-12’ trees or left unpruned, as shrubby plants. Stippled leaves become a platform for delicate, pirouetting pink solitary buds opening like miniature water lilies. Quince is self-fertile but another will increase fruiting. They’re hardy to zones 4-9, and prefer areas with partial shade or late afternoon sun since they burn in hotter, direct sunlight. They also tolerate a wide range of soil types, (except growing in a pot that they’ll soon outgrow), as long as they’re well-drained and moderately rich in plant-based organic matter. Use a well-balanced fertilizer once annually, then top with organic mulch. Once established, quince will still need regular watering which is best provided with drip irrigation. Water deeply (1” or about 10 gallons) once weekly or twice when very hot.

Although generally not bothered by pests, being in the Rosaceae family, they’re subject to fire blight. However, spraying with copper soap shield will keep that in check and your harvest basket full of fragrant-delicious fruit.

Whether you perceive them as curious or peculiar, the “quincessential” quince deserves your cultivating consideration.

Resources:

Mother Earth Gardener

Britannica

Raintree Nursery

Specialty Produce

Quince Sources:

One Green World

They have many varieties of quince including several that are edible off the tree.

Note: The author has the Aromatnaya variety, which is delicious fresh.

Raintree Nursery

Recipe:

Quince Chutney

3 quinces, fuzz removed, cored, quartered, then sliced crosswise

12 oz fresh (or frozen) organic cranberries, sorted and washed

1 small organic red onion, peeled and chopped

¼ cup organic raisins (flame are tastiest)

6 dates, pitted and chopped

1 good sized knob of fresh ginger root, peeled and finely minced

2 cups organic apple juice

½ cup port wine (or more apple juice)

½ cup balsamic vinegar

½ cup agave syrup (or honey or brown rice syrup)

1 tablespoon organic orange zest

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon each ground ginger, cloves and allspice

⅛ teaspoon sea salt

Put all ingredients in a good-sized heavy pot and stir to mix. Bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally and watching to keep from boiling over. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and simmer for about 35-45 minutes until thickened and quince is soft. Cool and refrigerate. Can be used hot or cold for topping salads, in sandwiches, relish for poultry, or on burgers instead of ketchup.

Keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Makes about 4 cups.

 

 

 

Jan 01

JCMGA November Board Minutes 2025

By Beet 2026 01 January

Jackson County Master Gardener Association

Board Meeting Minutes

November 14, 2025

Board Members Present:

Barbara Low, President, Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair, Member Services WG Co-Chair

Linda Millus, President-Elect, Member Services WG Co-Chair

Marcie Katz, Past President, Co-Chair Spring Garden Fair WG

Keltie Nelson, Treasurer, Co-Chair Marketing & Technology WG

Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary

Colet Allen, OMGA Representative & Winter Dreams Summer Gardens Co-Chair

Joanne Daane, Member-at-Large

Mary Schrouder, Member-at-Large

Jane Moyer, Fundraising WG Chair

Janine Salvatti, Gardens WG Chair

Teresa Jarratt, Co-Archivist

Rebecca Cohn, Member-at-Large

Linsey McNab, Co-Student Representative

Michael Hornbeek, Community Outreach WG Chair

Lucy Pylkki, Spring Garden Fair WG Co-Chair & Marketing & Technology Co-Chair

Kaleen Reilly, Member-at-Large

Grace Florjancic, OSU MG Program Coordinator

Board Members Absent:

Ann Ackles, Membership Secretary

Jory Kaplan, Member-at-Large

Erin Galbraith, Co-Student Representative

Regula Pepi, Assistant Treasurer

Carrie Holmes-Stanton, Co-Archivist

Guests:

Dr. Alec Levin, SOREC Director

Call to Order:  President Barbara Low called the Board meeting to order at 9:00am.

Approval of the Consent Agenda:   It was noted that the next meeting of the Fundraising Committee will be November 21, 2025 and in the Practicum Design Ad Hoc Committee report, ODOT has approved widening the entrance of the driveway.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Additions to the Agenda:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson requested the Board discuss prepayment of the next edition of the Garden Guides.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to add prepayment of the Garden Guides to the agenda.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Agenda:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Board Meeting Minutes from October 10, 2025:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the October 10, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Approval of the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2025:

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the October 21, 2025 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes as written.  Motion passed.

Finance Report:  Treasurer Keltie Nelson presented the financial statements for October 2025 and responded to questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the financial statements for October 2025.  Motion passed.

Treasurer Nelson noted that the revised Garden Guide will be completed shortly after the first of the year.  In order to make the 2026 budget balance, she suggested a prepayment be made in 2025.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve a Garden Guide publication prepay of $15,000 in 2025 and the remaining balance of $10,682 in 2026.  Motion passed.

MG Program Coordinator Report:  Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic reported that publicizing strategies have been implemented for the 2026 Master Gardener training class.  So far 35 potential students have signed up.  Grace introduced a new Volunteer HUB developed by OSU to obtain all the required volunteer forms for the year.

Dr. Alec Levin joined Grace in reviewing the first draft of a memorandum of understanding between OSU and JCMGA regarding expectations and responsibilities of both parties.  Dr. Levin and Grace responded to clarifying questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to go into executive session to discuss next steps.  Motion passed.

President Low appointed an ad hoc committee to review the draft MOU for possible revision and consult with an attorney for review as well.  The committee will include Barbara Low, Lindsey McNab, Linda Millus, Colet Allen, and Kathy Apple.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to come out of executive session.  Motion passed.

President’s Report:   President Barbara Low reported improved communication with the monthly meetings with MG Program Coordinator Grace Florjancic and Farm Manager Jake Hoyman and recommends their continuation.  The Working Group Chairs met and will continue to meet once a month to explore how to support one another and share information.  The SOREC room reservations process has changed.  After exploration, President Low was able to negotiate a more streamlined room reservation process.  President Low attended a meeting with various OSU Faculty, administrative staff, and Rogue Valley community leaders to share information about all programs of SOREC and the extension center.

Membership Secretary Report:   President Low reported in lieu of Membership Ann Ackles.  The membership renewal process has been implemented.

Discussion & Business:

  1. Jane Moyer reported on the review of the Garden Guide.
  2. Spring Garden Co-Chairs Marcie Katz and Lucy Pylkki reported that their first meeting was held with 13 volunteers. All team positions were filled.  Feedback from the 2025 fair was reviewed with several changes proposed for 2026.
  3. Gardens Working Group Chair Janine Salvatti reported that Siskiyou Pump Service will begin installation of the frost-free faucets on November 17, 2025.
  4. OMGA representative Colet Allen reported that the OMGA Advocacy Committee is looking for new leadership. Colet has proposed a retired attorney for the position.  Advocacy for support of the statewide Master Gardener program will be important for next year’s legislative session.
  5. President Elect Linda Millus reported the 2026 Tellers Report. A total of 61 votes were cast.  Each candidate received the required number of votes for elected office.  Newly elected members include:

President-Elect                                  Vacant

Recording Secretary                        Emma Holt

Membership Secretary                     Ann Ackles                 

Assistant Membership Secretary    Lindsey Mc Nab

Treasurer                                           Keltie Nelson

Assistant Treasurer                          Annette Carter

OMGA Representative                     Colet Allen

Co-Archivist                                      Teresa Jarratt & Carrie Stanton-Holmes

Members at Large                             Erin Galbraith

Joanne Daane

Sandy Hammond

Kaleen Reilly

Connie Lyssand

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to accept the 2026 Tellers Report.   Motion passed.

  1. Bylaws Committee Chair Kathy Apple reported on the second reading of the proposed changes to the bylaws which eliminates the past president position, allows for co-presidents, and adds an assistant membership secretary to the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed changes to the JCMGA Bylaws as presented.  Motion passed.

  1. President Low presented a proposal for a new “Sensory” demonstration garden and responded to questions from the Board.

MOTION:  It was moved and seconded to approve a new Sensory demonstration garden.  Motion passed.

Announcements:

  1. There will be a monthly meeting of Working Group chairs following the monthly Board of Directors meeting.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:25am.

Next Meeting:

  1. The new Board orientation meeting will be held on December 5, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am. All new and current Board members are to attend.
  2. The next regular Board meeting will be held December 12, 2025 from 9:00am to 11:30am.

Respectfully Submitted by Kathy Apple, Recording Secretary